Zinc deficiency: signs, symptoms and why zinc matters

Zinc is involved in hundreds of processes in the body, from immunity to skin health and hormone balance. Here we look at what zinc does and how to recognise when levels may be low.

Zinc is a biologically essential metal trace nutrient that is a co-factor for over 300 enzymes and proteins involved in protecting the body from oxidative damage.

Zinc deficiency is a very common health issue – so correcting this is of paramount importance. Many soils are empty and depleted of zinc, and many supposedly rich food sources of zinc are found to be lacking and depleted.

Some of the most important functions and benefits of zinc include the following:

Supports Immune Function

Supports immune function and regulation; may also help fight infections / colds.

Brain Function

Alertness, abstract thinking, multi-tasking, mood, memory.

Fertility

Essential for modulating testosterone levels in men, improving sperm quality and motility, and improving sex drive/ libido. In women, adequate levels are needed during the growth and maturation process of a woman's eggs and for hormonal balance.

Hormone Regulation

Supports normal hormone production, increasing testosterone naturally, plus oestrogen and progesterone in women. It's essential for reproductive health in both men and women.

Growth and Repair

Involved in normal cell division and growth of ALL cells. It assists in muscle repair and growth, as well as wound healing.

Glucose Regulation

Needed to balance insulin, the main hormone involved in regulating blood sugar.

Acts as a Powerful Antioxidant

It is an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, a 'defence shield' against physical stress, mental stress, infections and toxins.

Key to Digestion

A key ingredient of digestive enzymes and gastric acid, zinc affects protein synthesis and is needed by the body to use amino acids from foods, and to liberate energy from carbohydrates.

Bodily Secretions

Zinc is essential for cerebrospinal fluid, tear fluid, sinus secretions, saliva, tonsillar fluid, lung fluid, sweat, breastmilk, stomach acid, digestive enzymes, intestinal fluid, urine, menstrual fluid, and synovial fluid.

Neurotransmitters

Specifically serotonin, melatonin, dopamine and noradrenaline synthesis – these will all impact mood and sleep control.

Common zinc deficiency signs and health problems associated with low zinc

Poor wound healing

When a wound takes a long time to heal, when it doesn't heal well; when there may be a lot of scar tissue present.

Poor digestive function

A lack of digestive enzymes and 'juices'. Zinc is needed to create stomach acid to digest proteins. Symptoms include malabsorption, indigestion, multiple nutrient deficiencies.

Low immunity

Getting sick often; not healing well once sick; being ill for too long.

Hormonal imbalance

Women: PMS / PMDD, PCOS / PMOS, irregular cycle, mood swings, low libido. Men: did you know that every time a man ejaculates, he loses zinc! Loss of libido, acne, pimples, mental health issues in men, boys and teenagers.

Fertility

It is crucially involved in steroidal hormone pathways; essential for preventing the unnecessary conversion of androgens to oestrogens; it has a negative feedback loop on the enzyme aromatase. Poor sperm health and motility.

Stunted growth in children can be a sign of zinc deficiency.

Skin

Zinc is important for activating vitamin A. May positively support - acne, pimples, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, boils, dry skin, hair loss, tinea, thrush, warts.

Mental health

Deficiency results in depleted neurotransmitters, exacerbating/causing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, drug-induced psychosis, schizophrenia.

Many nutrients are required for the correct metabolism of cholesterol. Low zinc or a zinc:copper imbalance will cause cholesterol levels to rise.

Many 'allergic' phenomena – especially excess histamine – are associated with abnormal zinc levels. Zinc deficiency or imbalance may make the person 'allergic', where they may release histamine, with little provocation.

Joint issues

Zinc is required to make synovial fluid of the correct viscosity and for the repair of tissues (cartilage etc), including daily wear and tear.

Pyroluria

Also known as pyrrole disorder – may result in severe deficiencies in particularly zinc and vitamin B6.

Summary

Zinc deficiency can affect immunity, skin, hair, mood and hormonal health, and those following plant-based diets may need to pay closer attention to intake.